Periodontal Disease Treatment – Dallas, TX

What is Gum Disease?

Periodontal disease is often referred to simply as gum disease. However, this name is a bit of a misnomer. The word periodontal itself is a little more accurate. It combines two words – “perio” meaning around and “dontal” meaning tooth. Thus, periodontal disease is an oral health issue that affects the tissue around the tooth. That includes the gums, supportive alveolar bone, and the jaw. There are two main forms of gum disease. In the early stages, called gingivitis, the symptoms are mild and may be overlooked without the help of your dentist, during regular dental office visits. The more advanced form is referred to as periodontitis, and the symptoms at this stage are much more severe. In fact, periodontitis is the leading cause of tooth loss for patients over the age of 35.

Do I have Periodontal Disease?

During your regular six month dental checkups, we’ll screen for gum disease, but please let us know right away if you notice any of the following warning signs:

• Bleeding gums, especially while brushing and flossing
• Red or discolored gum tissue
• Swelling or inflammation in the gum tissue
• Sores or infection in the tissues around teeth
• Receding gums or teeth that appear longer
• Teeth that shift or a bite that doesn’t fit together properly
• Chronic bad breath that doesn’t improve with brushing and flossing

How is Periodontal Disease Treated?

Your treatment plan for periodontal disease will depend on what form you’re suffering from. Patients with mild gingivitis may see improved oral health by simply making some improvements to at-home hygiene routines and visiting us for more frequent professional teeth cleanings. When periodontal disease reaches the more advanced stages, we may need to offer some combination of the following more advanced treatments in addition to more frequent professional cleanings:

• Scaling – removal of plaque, tartar, and damaged tooth structure below the gums
• Root planing – smoothing of tooth roots to prevent further buildup of plaque and tartar
• Antibiotic therapy – oral and/or topical antibiotics may be prescribed to reduce the numbers of plaque-producing oral bacteria
• Antimicrobial mouth rinse – a prescription-strength rinse that limits the production of oral bacteria

Can I Prevent Periodontal Disease?

In most cases, periodontal disease is preventable and avoiding this common oral health concern is as simple as maintaining proper at-home hygiene and regular dental appointments. This includes brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting our dental office twice a year. If you’re struggling with gum disease or showing warning signs, we can work with you to improve your at-home routine with products designed to combat periodontal disease. Don’t hesitate to talk to Dr. Barnett or any member of our team about making the most of your oral hygiene routine.